Locking device and door-drive device comprising the same, for a door operated by a motor assembly

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a locking device and a door-drive device comprising a locking device for a door which can be secured against opening by unauthorized persons using force from the exterior. The locking device has a lever element consisting of two lever arms which pivot about a first pivoting shaft. A connecting element is hinged to the first lever arm for connecting the door and the second lever arm which has an engaging device.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention concerns a locking mechanism for a door driven bya motorized transmission, especially an overhead door, a tilting,swinging, or sectional door for instance, whereby the locking mechanismoperates in conjunction with a coupling mechanism that couples thedoor's panel to a carrier, the transmission moves the carrier back andforth, preventing the closed door from opening when not subjected toforce by the carrier, the locking mechanism includes a lever and aconnector, the lever is mounted directly or indirectly on the carrierand pivots around a first axis in two opposite directions, the lever isprovided with an engagement mechanism that engages a stationarycounterbearing, the counterbearing operates in conjunction with a trackthat guides the carrier, locking the door, the engagement mechanismengages the counterbearing as the lever pivots in one direction anddisengages it as the lever pivots in the opposite direction, theconnector is rigid and is preferably in the form of a connecting rod,the connecting rod has an attachment mechanism at one end that attachesit to the door panel and is pivoted at the other end to the lever aroundanother axis that is some distance from the first axis, whereby thelever accordingly pivots around the firstaxis in the first directionwhen the connector is pushed while in alignment with the door and in theopposite direction when the connector is pulled while in alignment withthe door. The present invention also concerns a door-drive mechanismprovided with such a locking mechanism. A locking mechanism anddoor-drive mechanism of this genus is known from European Patent 0 743416 A1, which will be discussed in detail hereinafter.

Motorized drive mechanisms that open and close overhead doors have longbeen known.

A mechanism of this genus is known from DE 2 741 539 A1 for example.They usually include a carrier, preferably a carriage, that can be movedalong the track positioned horizontal above the route traveled by thedoor. The carrier is usually attached to the door by connecting rods.Detaching the carrier from the door or from a traction mechanism betweenthe carrier and the drive mechanism in the event of an emergency, whenthe mechanism malfunctions, has also long been known.

Problems can be encountered with such drive mechanisms. The closed doorcan be forced up from outside by muscle power, the carrier moving in thedoor-opening direction without or even against the force exerted by thetransmission.

Additionally preventing the carriage and/or the closed door fromunauthorized opening has accordingly often been proposed. Examples ofsuch locking mechanisms are known from German Patent 1 961 916, U.S.Pat. No. 3,704,548, German 8 802 127 U1, French A 2 349 014, U.S. PatNo. 3,909,980, and the aforesaid European Patent 0 743 416 A1.

In German Patent 1 961 916, a carrier in the form of a carriage travelsback and forth along a track between two stops. The closure stop isprovided with a stationary pawl. The carriage is secured in its lockingposition when it engages the pawl. The engaged pawl is subject totension. To disengage the carriage, it is attached by way of a two-armedlever to a traction mechanism between it and the motorized transmission.The lever's arms act as stops, limiting its pivoting motion. The freeend of one arm engages below the pawl when the lever is in its lockingposition. When the traction mechanism is actuated, the lever pivotsbefore the carrier begins moving. The pawl is accordingly lifted anddisengaged, releasing the carrier. This drive mechanism is indeedprovided with a coupling mechanism that couples a carrier in the form ofa carriage to the door, but the coupling mechanism pivots around thesame axis as the lever, although independently thereof.

In the mechanism disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,704,548, it is the upperend of the door and not the carrier in the form of a carriage that islocked. Releasing the tensioned locking device again in order to openthe door requires a highly complicated system of levers and slides.

German 8 802 127 U1 discloses a locking mechanism wherein a connectingrod attached to the door lifts a carrier when force is applied to thedoor from outside and accordingly engages the carrier with a cogged rackor with a chain above it. This locking mechanism is not completelyreliable. The carrier can move at a right angle to its intendeddirection, resulting in unpleasant rattling and imprecise movement. Thecarrier can even tilt out of alignment and impinge on the rack or chainin ordinary operation.

French A 2 349 014 discloses a locking mechanism wherein the connectingrod that comprises the coupling mechanism travels back and forth in aslot in the carrier. A pawl on the connecting rod pivots around a pinaccommodated in the slot and engages a counterbearing on the track. Asthe carrier leaves its locking position, the connecting rod is pulledalong the slot, disengaging the pawl by way of a sloping plane. Themechanism known from U.S. Pat. No. 3,909,980 also employs means ofdisplacement comprising a pawl in conjunction with a slot and a slopingplane to lever the pawl out of its engagement against a counterbearing.Generally, devices of this genus, which exploit displacement of a rod inrelation to a carrier, are problematic with respect to wear and arecomplicated to manufacture and to install and adjust on site.

The locking mechanism of the aforesaid genus known from European Patent0 743 416 A1 on the other hand has proven very reliable and easy tomanufacture and install. The connecting rod employed therein between thecarrier and the door is not directly attached to the carrier but to alever that pivots around an axis on the carrier. A coupling mechanismconstituting a toggle composed of the rigid connector, which is in theform of a connecting rod, and the lever, couples the carrier to thedoor. The lever has only one arm and is provided with a hooked pawl inthe vicinity of another pivoting axis and engaging a notch in thevicinity of the track. This mechanism has few moving parts, and theyonly pivot among themselves and are not relatively displaced. Themechanism is accordingly very simple and operates reliably in that, withthe exception of the pawl, none of the components slide along any of theothers, which would subject them to wear. The mechanism is also veryeasy to install and adjust.

Even this known mechanism, however, needs improvement with respect toits adaptability to various installation situations. The toggle forinstance allows the connecting rod to rotate only to a limited extentwithout detriment to the function of the pawling system. This is ofdisadvantage in particular when the track is to be mounted high abovethe doorway. The site might also provide insufficient vertical space, inthe opening and closing direction, that is, in which event a shorterconnecting rod would be desirable. The limits dictated by the operationof the toggle will still be too narrow in some situations.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The object of the present invention is an improved locking mechanism andassociated drive mechanism of the genus disclosed in European Patent 0743 416 A1 that will operate just as reliably and that can bemanufactured, installed, and adjusted just as easily while adaptingreadily to a wider range of situations on site.

This object is attained in accordance with the present invention in alocking mechanism of the aforesaid genus in that the lever comprises twoarms, the connector being attached to the arm, and in that the mechanismthat engages the counterbearing while or after the lever and hence thesecond arm pivots in the first direction, pushing the connector attachedto the door, and that disengages the counterbearing while or after thelever and hence the second arm pivots in the opposite direction, pullingthe connector attached to the door, is mounted on the second lever arm.

These amazingly simple measures allow the connector or connecting rod tobe farther uncoupled from the lever. The connector, specifically theconnecting rod, that is, can be attached to the door at a wider range ofangles, while the lever is rotated in the first direction only whensubjected to force in the opening direction.

A door-drive mechanism with a locking mechanism of this species canaccordingly be installed considerably above the doorway and be providedwith shorter connecting rods.

Advantageous embodiments of the present invention are addressed by thesubsidiary claims.

Various types of engagement mechanism can be employed. The mechanism canfor example be a pin that engages a barbed structure from a depressiontherein. In a simpler and preferred embodiment, however, the end of thesecond lever arm pointing along the first pivoting direction is providedwith an engagement mechanism in the form of a hook or nose that hooksonto or engages behind the counterbearing while or after the leverpivots in the first direction and releases it while or after the leverpivots in the second direction.

To facilitate directly transmitting the pushing and pulling forces fromthe carrier to the door by way of the coupling mechanism, the lever andconnecting rod, that is, during normal operation, one advantageousembodiment of the locking mechanism in accordance with the presentinvention features two stops, the first stop limiting the motion of thelever as it pivots in the first direction once engagement has beenachieved and the second stop limiting the motion of the lever's firstand/or second arm as it pivots in the second direction once engagementhas been achieved. The lever can accordingly pivot only to a limitedextent, just far enough to engage or disengage.

The regulations that govern the safe operation of doors driven bymotorized drive mechanisms prescribe that the doors can be opened inemergencies and when their drive mechanisms malfunction. This demand isof particular importance when the door is the only form of access to theother side. For such events, one particularly advantageous embodiment ofthe drive mechanism in accordance with the present invention features anemergency unbarring mechanism that disengages the lever, allowing thedoor to be opened by muscle power. The locking mechanism can accordinglybe released when the drive mechanism malfunctions, in the event of apower failure for example, and the drive mechanism will not stand in theway of opening the door by muscle power. Since many door-drivemechanisms are self-inhibiting, however, it is not only the lockingmechanism itself that must be overcome when opening the door by musclepower, but the motorized transmission itself. It will accordingly be ofadvantage for the emergency unbarring mechanism that unlocks the lockingmechanism and uncouples the door to be constituted by the motorizedtransmission itself. It will be of further advantage in this case forthe emergency unbarring mechanism to be provided for this purpose with aseparating mechanism that separates the carrier from the motorizedtransmission. The separating mechanism in one preferred embodiment canbe provided with an unlocking-lever component that manually shifts thecarrier out of a normal position, wherein the carrier is coupled to themotorized transmission, and into a detachment position, wherein thecarrier is detached from the motorized transmission, especially bytraction means. The separating mechanism can for example be actuated byway of manually actuated traction means. The traction means can forexample comprise a traction cord accessible from inside the door and/ora Bowden cord accessible from outside. Other means—levers, rods, etc.for example—of actuating the emergency unbarring mechanism are of coursealso conceivable. Although manual actuation is preferred, automaticactuation by way of an emergency mechanism of some sort is alsopossible.

To ensure that the locking mechanism can be unlocked to allow the doorto be opened by muscle power, the emergency unbarring mechanism in oneembodiment of the present invention can include means of applyingtension, especially in the form of a spring that maintains the lever inits release position. The engaging component in all known lockingmechanisms is maintained in its engaged position subject to tension.Although this feature does ensure that the engagement mechanism willengage and remain engaged as long as the door remains closed, it is notabsolutely necessary in that the engagement mechanism must only remainengaged while the door is actually subjected to force from outside. If,for example, as provided in this particular embodiment of the presentinvention, the lever is maintained in its release position by tension,the advantage will be that the door can easily be opened by muscle powerwith the carrier coupled by way of the traction mechanism without havingto first shift the engaging mechanism out of its engaged position. Allthat would be necessary to disengage the system in an emergency in suchan embodiment would be to uncouple the carrier from the motorizedtransmission.

Practice has demonstrated, however, that this theoretically simplestapproach is not sufficient in all cases to ensure absolutely reliableemergency unbarring. The emergency unbarring mechanism in one preferredembodiment of the present invention can accordingly include an unlockingmechanism that will when actuated shift and in particular force thelever out of its engaged position or locking position, whereupon thedoor panel can be pulled or pushed up, allowing the door to be openedsubject to muscle power in an emergency.

The unlocking mechanism is also preferably designed such that, when theemergency unlatching mechanism is actuated, by tugging on the tractionmeans for example, it will not pivot the second lever arm out of itsengagement position and into its release position until the separatingmechanism has separated the carrier. The emergency unbarring mechanismcan accordingly be operated in two phases. In the first, the carrier isuncoupled from the motorized transmission. In the next phase, as theemergency unbarring mechanism continues to be actuated, by continuoustugging on the traction means for example, the locking mechanism will beunlocked. The unlocking mechanism that unlocks the locking mechanism inone concrete and advantageous embodiment is mounted on, located on, orassociated with the unlocking-lever component that unlocks the carrierfrom the motorized transmission such that it will not, as theunlocking-lever component pivots out of its normal position and beyondits unlocking position, seize a vicinity of the lever that pivots alongwith the second lever arm such that the second lever arm will pivot inthe second direction, until the unlocking-lever component has traveledbeyond its unlocking position. In the simplest version of thisembodiment, both the unlocking mechanism and the unlocking-levercomponent comprise a single component, that will, as it pivots out ofits normal position around an acute angle, uncouple the carrier from themotorized transmission and, as it continues beyond that angle, seize thelocking mechanism's lever and force it out of its engagement position.In the simplest version, the unlocking mechanism is constituted by theunlocking-lever component itself, whereby once it has traveled beyondits unlocking position, the unlocking-lever component will directlyseize the lever and push or pull it out of its engagement position. Theunlocking-lever component in one preferred embodiment can be pivotedmanually, especially by way of the traction means. The unlocking-levercomponent is connected to a coupling pin. The pin is in particulartensioned in the coupling position and couples the carrier to thetraction mechanism. As it pivots into the unlocking position, theunlocking-lever component releases the pin. The unlocking-levercomponent is preferably provided with a contact vicinity that contacts amatching contact area on the lever, pivoting the second lever arm out ofits engagement position and into its release position.

The contact area of the lever that constitutes the locking lever inanother preferred embodiment is provided with a third lever arm that isconnected to and pivots along with the second lever arm around the firstaxis. The third lever arm extends into the vicinity wherein theunlocking-lever component pivots such that, when the lever is in itsengagement position and the unlocking-lever component in its normalposition, the third arm will be far enough from one arm of theunlocking-lever component to allow emergency unbolting to take place intwo phases. It is in this event preferable for the distance to be longenough to prevent the unlocking-lever component and the third lever armfrom seizing each other until the unlocking-lever component has pivotedout of its normal position and beyond its unlocking position such thatthe second arm of the lever can be released as the unlocking-levercomponent continues pivoting.

One concrete embodiment of the present invention features a bearing thataccommodates the lever, whereby the bearing extends downward from thecarrier when the mechanism is employed as intended, the carrier travelsback and forth along a track, the track extends horizontally above theroute traveled by the door panel as the door opens, the first axis isprovided against the bearing extending downward as viewed from aspecified angle and at a distance from the horizontal track when themechanism is employed as intended, and the first and/or the second axisare preferably provided on the bearing. This situation can be attainedfor example if the bearing is provided with a housing in the form of asleeve or is sleeve-like or cylindrical, with the lever coming to restagainst the interior wall surface of the housing upstream and/ordownstream and above and/or below the axis during the pivoting motion.

Instead of the bearing that establishes a position below the carriertrack. The first axis can be accommodated inside the carrier itself. Inthis case, the lever will be accommodated inside the carrier. Theinterior wall surfaces of the housing that face the first lever arm willpreferably act as the first and/or second stop. The second axis will,however, preferably be below the carrier track when the mechanism isemployed as intended.

The first lever arm in one especially advantageous embodiment can extendfor this purpose downward, essentially downward, that is, from the firstaxis in when the mechanism is employed as intended such that, as itpivots in the first direction, its free end will move in the openingdirection traveled by the carrier. The lever arm need not pointprecisely downward but only essentially downward, extending across thedirection traveled by the door panel and/or the carrier and accordinglytransmitting the maximum of torque. Due to the force exerted on theconnecting rod during the first attempt to open the door from outside,the first lever arm will pivot into the premisses being closed off.

The second lever arm can extend upward, essentially upward, that is,from the first axis for example when the mechanism is employed asintended such that, as the arm pivots in the first direction, its freeend will move along with the engagement mechanism opposite the directiontraveled by the carrier until it arrives in its engagement position. Thefirst and second lever arm in one embodiment of the present inventioncan thereby extend essentially perpendicular to each other, more or lessat 180°, at least in the vicinity of the first axis. This approach willsimplify manufacture of the lever, which will act like amotion-reversing lever.

The lever arms in one advantageous embodiment either constitute a simplesingle component or are otherwise fastened together, pivoting as a wholein both directions.

The first and second lever arms in one alternative embodiment, however,can be separate components coupled together. They will then preferablybe coupled together by way of a carrier mechanism such that the secondlever arm will move along with the first lever arm only when pivoting inone particular direction. It is accordingly preferably subjected totension such that both lever arms will engage each other by way of thecarrier mechanism. When force is exerted against the second lever arm inopposition to the engagement provided by the carrier mechanism, however,the latter will pivot out of engagement with the first lever arm. Itwill in this case be preferable for both the first and second lever armto pivot simultaneously as the carrier travels in the opening directionand to uncouple from each other, especially by pivoting relative to eachother, as the carrier travels in the closing direction. The advantagehere is that the second lever arm can slip beyond the counterbearing andsnap into place without having to carry the first lever arm and theconnector coupled thereto along with it. Furthermore, the second leverarm, once uncoupled from the first lever arm by the emergency releasemechanism comprising the unlocking mechanism, can easily be shifted outof its engagement position without having to move the first lever armand hence the coupling mechanism. With such an embodiment it is alsoconceivable in principle to eliminate two-phase actuation of theemergency unbolting mechanism or to unlock the locking mechanism firstand then [un] couple the carrier from the motorized transmission. Toensure that the locking mechanism will remain locked in any case oncethe lever arms have been uncoupled, it will be preferable for the secondlever arm to be tensioned, preferably by a spring, in its engagementposition.

The free end of the second lever arm in another embodiment of thepresent invention is bent or curved along the first pivoting direction,creating the engagement mechanism, especially the hook, whereby the faceof the bent or curved free end that faces the first direction isprovided with a hook nose with an engagement area that seizes thecounterbearing and locks it. The lever can accordingly as a wholecomprise a straight, curved or, depending on the situation, bent, at anessentially right angle for example, strip of sheet metal thatterminates in a hook. If the end is straight, it can act as a firstlever arm for example, with a point of engagement, a bore for example,for the first axis located therein. In this case, the other end, whichcan be bent for example, will act as a hook that hooks onto thecounterbearing as the lever pivots in the first direction. It is on theother hand also conceivable for the first and second lever arm to bendtoward each other, with a bore or similar bearing for the first axislocated in the vicinity of the bend. The entire second lever arm will inthis case comprise a hook with a nose at the end. A third lever arm canbe provided in the form of a straight extension of the second lever arm,representing a point of contact for the unlocking component.

To allow the hook to hook onto or the nose to travel beyond thecounterbearing that it is to engage behind even while it is beingadvanced during normal operation, it will also be preferable to providethe engagement mechanism with a snap-in nose and in particular for thehook nose or nose to be in the form of a snap-in nose. The side of thesnap-in nose that faces the engagement area can be provided with anon-ramp shoulder. If the engagement mechanism is also provided with anobliquely angled capture area for seizing the counterbearing, the secondlever arm will not be able to hook over the counterbearing subject topowerful force as might happen if a pointed capture area were to boreinto the counterbearing. Tests have indicated that reliable locking canbe attained even with an obliquely angled capture area.

It will be preferable to be able to fasten the counterbearing at variouspoints along the track. The track can for example be a rail in the formof a length of C section, the counterbearing tensioned across it fromone mutually facing edge to the other. An embodiment of the presentinvention is preferable wherein the counterbearing simultaneouslyconstitutes or comprises a limiting mechanism that limits the closingmotion of the carrier and accordingly prescribes its closing position.It will also be preferable for /27. the counterbearing to be constitutedby one edge of the limiting mechanism and especially by an edge thatextends into the C section.

The locking mechanism can be adapted to various sites even more easilyif /28. the connecting rod is provided with several means of attachingit to any desired point on the door panel and of articulating it to anydesired point on the first lever arm. This feature will be even moreadvantageous if it allows various distances between the door panel andthe carrier to be spanned. T /29. he connecting rod in one concreteversion is preferably flat and elongated and in particular a perforatedstrip of metal, whereby the means of attaching it to any desired pointon the door panel and of articulating it to any desired point on thefirst lever arm are in the form of several preferably round holesdistributed along it.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Various embodiments of the present invention will now be specified byway of example with reference to the accompanying drawing, wherein

FIG. 1 is a partly sectional lateral view of part of one embodiment of adoor-drive mechanism and locking mechanism adjacent to a doorway duringan attempt to open the door from outside subject to muscle power,

FIG. 2 is a cross-section along the line A A in FIG. 1,

FIG. 3 is a lateral view similar to FIG. 1 of the door drive mechanism'scarrier with the door closed and subject to no force,

FIG. 4 is a partly sectional lateral view similar to FIG. 1 of part ofanother embodiment of a door-drive mechanism and locking mechanism,

FIG. 5 is a view of the second embodiment from below along the directionindicated arrow A in FIG. 4,

FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIGS. 3 and 4 of a third embodiment of adoor-drive mechanism and locking mechanism,

FIG. 7 is a view from below of the part of the third embodiment of adoor-drive mechanism and locking mechanism illustrated in FIG. 6, and

FIG. 8 is a cross-section along the line B—B in FIG. 2.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The figures illustrate various embodiments of a drive mechanism 3 for anoverhead door 2 in the vicinity of its attachment to the door's panel 1.More specifically, only the end of drive mechanism 3 that is to befastened to the doorway's lintel 4 is represented. At the other end, thedrive mechanism 3 is provided with an unillustrated motorizedtransmission that shifts a carrier in the form of a carriage 6, 106, or206 back and forth between two limits, specifically a door-openingposition and an illustrated door closing position subject to a tractionmechanism, the cogged belt 5 in the illustrated embodiment for example.Carriage 6, 106, or 206 travels along a track in the form of a rail 7comprising a length of C section like that described in WO 98/12407,which can be referred to for details. Rail 7 is fastened horizontal tolintel 4 above panel 1 and along the direction the panel opens in. Apulley 8 guides and reflects belt 5 inside rail 7. The dooropening-and-closing motions of carriage 6, 106, or 206 are limited bystructures in the form of stops 9 like those described in WO 98/12405,which can be referred to for details. FIGS. 1 and 3 through 7 show onlythe stop 9 that limits the closing motion of carriage 6, 106, or 206.Stop 9 can be clamped onto rail 7 at any desired location along it,allowing adaptation to various sites of installation and limits.

The door 2 in the illustrated embodiment is a tilting door with a singleflat panel 1. The carriage 6, 106, or 206 that acts as a carrier indrive mechanism 3 is coupled to panel 1 by a coupling mechanism 10, 110,or 210. A locking mechanism 11, 111, or 211 that prevents panel 1 frombeing opened from outside by unauthorized persons acts in conjunctionwith coupling mechanism 10, 110, or 210. Coupling mechanism 10, 110, or210 comprises a connecting rod 12 or 112 attached to carriage 6, 106, or206 by way of a lever 13, 113, or 213 and to panel 1 by way of anL-shaped structure 14. Such an L shaped structure 14 is described inEuropean Patent 0 768 444 A1, which can be referred to for details.Drive mechanism 3 can be adapted to various motorized door panels 1 byway of structure 14. Locking mechanism 11, 111, or 211 essentiallycomprises connecting rod 12 or 112 and lever 13, 113, or 213, attachedto carriage 6, 106, or 206, in conjunction with stop 9. The illustratedembodiments of drive mechanism 3 differ in the design of lockingmechanism 11, 111, or 211 and in the design of an emergency unlatchingmechanism 40, 140, and 240 that allows the door to be opened subject tomuscle power in the event of an emergency, when, for example, there is apower failure or when drive mechanism 3 malfunctions for some otherreason.

One embodiment of the present invention will now be specified withreference to FIGS. 1 through 3.

The lever 13 in this embodiment is secured in a bearing 15 on carriage6. Otherwise, the carriage is similar to the one described in WO98/13569. It is accordingly provided with a groove-and-spring device 17that includes a groove 16 and attaches it to bearing 15. The bearing isprovided with a more or less sleeve-like housing 18 that extendsdownward from carriage 6 and wherein lever 13 pivots to a limited extentaround an axis 19 that extends perpendicular to the direction traveledby the carriage. Lever 13 has two arms. One arm 20 is positioned belowaxis 19, and the other arm 21 above it.

Connecting rod 12 pivots around another axis 22 at the free end 23 offirst lever arm 20. Specifically, free end 23 is forked, and connectingrod 12, a flat strip, is articulated between its two prongs at secondaxis 22. Second lever arm 21 extends initially straight out of firstaxis 19 but bends at an angle paralleling first pivoting direction 30,pointing upstream in the direction traveled by carriage 6 as the dooropens. The free end 24 of second lever arm 21 terminates in adownward-pointing hook 25. Hook 25 is provided with an on ramp shoulder26 facing down and along the closing-motion direction and with a capturearea 27 that can engage behind a limiting edge 28 of stop 9.

The free end 24 of second lever arm 21, with its hook 25, shoulder 26,capture area 27, in conjunction with stop 9 or limiting edge 28,accordingly constitute a barbed structure that engages a component 29.By way of this engagement, locking mechanism maintains carriage 6 andpanel 1 in the state represented in FIG. 1.

Whereas FIG. 1 represents engagement component 29 engaged, FIG. 3 showsit disengaged, with lever 13 subject to the tension exerted by a spring41. The front and back walls of housing 18 are designed to allow lever13 to pivot in first direction 30 around first axis 19 out of thedisengaged position represented in FIG. 3 and into the engaged positionrepresented in FIG. 1. As it pivots, lever 13 in second direction 31, inthe opposite direction, that is, moves out of the engaged positionrepresented in FIG. 1 and into the disengaged position represented inFIG. 3. As the lever pivots in first direction 30, the wall 32 ofhousing 18 near panel 1 acts as a stop, limiting the motion of secondlever arm 21, and the opposite wall 33 as a stop limiting the motion offirst lever arm 20. The lever's motion in second direction 31 is limitedby the wall 33 farther from panel 1 on second lever arm 21 and by thewall 32 near panel 1 on first lever arm 20.

The emergency unlatching mechanism 40 in this embodiment accordinglyessentially comprises the spring 41 that maintains lever 13 in itsrelease position and a mechanism 34 that separates the carriage 6 frombelt 5. Separating mechanism 34 comprises a traction cord 35 that pullsan unillustrated engagement pin (cf. FIG. 8 and hereinafter) out of itsengagement with a cogged-band coupling 36 (FIG. 2) inside carriage 6.Such a cogged-band coupling is described in WO 98/13625, which can bereferred to for details.

To allow its attachment to any desired points on door panel 1 and lever13, connecting rod 12 is provided with several fastenings in the form ofopenings 37 a. The connecting rod itself is a strip of sheet metal withopenings 37 a distributed equally along it. In other words it isperforated.

How this embodiment of the door-drive mechanism and its associatedlocking mechanism work will now be specified.

How drive mechanism 3 shifts the open door 2 into the closed staterepresented in the figures will be specified first. Lever 13 isinitially in the position relative to bearing 15 and hence to carriage 6represented in FIG. 1. When the free end 24 of second lever arm 21contacts stop 9, the shoulder 26 of hook 25 slides over limiting edge 28until capture area 27 engages behind limiting edge 28. Carriage 6 cannow continue traveling until it contacts stop 9, coming to rest in theposition represented in FIG. 1. Door 2 will now be closed. Drivemechanism 3 will now turn off, and lever 13 will be maintained subjectto tension in the position illustrated in FIG. 3, in the releaseposition, that is.

FIG. 1 represents what happens when an external force is applied topanel 1 in this state. When an attempt is made to lift the door fromoutside, a force or push 37 is applied to connecting rod 12 along itslength. Due to the articulation of connecting rod 12 to first lever arm20 accordingly, lever 13 will pivot around first axis 19 in firstdirection 30 until engagement component 29 arrives in its engagementposition. Second lever arm 21 will now come to rest against the stopconstituted by wall 32, and carriage 6 will be subjected to force in theopening direction. This force, however, will remain in action only untilseizing area 27 comes to rest against limiting edge 28. Panel 1 will beprevented from moving any farther in its opening direction no matter howmuch force is applied to the door.

It will, however, still be possible when drive mechanism 3 malfunctionsdue to a power failure for instance, to open door 2 by means ofemergency unlatching mechanism 40 by just uncoupling carriage 6 frombelt 5 with a tug on traction cord 35 and a pull on the carrier,carriage 6, that is, in the present example, in the opening direction.As drive mechanism 3 shifts the carriage 6 in the present embodimentinto the closing position against the force of spring 41, lever 13 willpreferably enter its engagement position. Spring 41, which acts as anunbolting spring on lever 13, is tensioned to ensure that door 2 can belifted and opened by muscle power immediately once carriage 6 has beenunbolted. This is particularly important in the event of emergencyunbolting when there is no other access to the garage. A secondembodiment of door-drive mechanism 3 and a second embodiment ofdoor-locking mechanism 111 will now be specified with reference to FIGS.4 and 5. Identical parts will be provided with the same referencenumbers, and the specification of the first embodiment can be referredto for the overall design.

Here again locking mechanism 111 is associated with a coupling mechanism110 that couples panel 1 to a carrier in the form of a carriage 106. Thecarriage's motion is transferred to panel 1 by way of a lever 113mounted therein and by way of a connector in the form of a connectingrod 112.

Lever 113 comprises two lever arms 120 and 121 that pivot in twodirections 30 and 31 around an axis 119 inside rail 7.

Axis 119 is embodied by a pin 151 mounted in the carriage's housing 150(FIG. 5). Pin 151 extends through lever arms 120 and 121. First leverarm 120 is constituted by two cheeks 162 and 163, in the form of stripsof metal in the present embodiment, one on each side of second lever arm121 and connecting rod 112. Connecting rod 112 pivots between and at thefree ends 123 of cheeks 162 and 163 around another axis 122 below rail7.

The free end 124 of second lever arm 121 is provided with a hook 125similar to the hook 25 in the first embodiment, with that is, an on-rampshoulder 126 and an edge 127 that engages a limiting stop 9. Secondlever arm 121 is in the form of a length of structural section mountedon pin 151 that could as a whole be called a locking hook orlocking-hook component and that extends along second lever arm 121 andbeyond first axis 119, accordingly constituting a third arm 152 forlever 133. Third lever arm 152 bends down at its free end 153. Betweenfirst lever arm 120 and the bent-down free end 153 of third lever arm152 is a resilient structure, in the form of a compression spring 144 inthe present example. Compression spring 144 tensions second lever arm121 and third lever arm 152 with its locking hook in first direction 30and accordingly maintaining second lever arm 121 in the engagementposition represented in FIG. 4.

The end of third lever arm 152 pointing away from first axis 119 isprovided with an emergency unlatching mechanism 140 in the form of acontact area 154 that engages an unlocking lever component 143.

Carriage housing 150 is provided with inner surfaces 132 and 133 thatact as stops, limiting the pivoting motion of first lever arm 120,cheeks 162 and 163, that is. First lever arm 120 is also provided with acarrier 155 with a pin mounted between the cheeks. Carrier 155 ismounted on first lever arm 120 where it engages second lever arm 121 inthe position represented in FIG. 4. FIG. 4 shows lever 113 in itsengagement position, with lever arms 120 and 121 pivoted in firstdirection 30, wherein a push 37 is being exerted on connecting rod 112.As first lever arm 120 pivots in second direction 31, carrier 155 willmove second lever arm 121, which accordingly shifts out of itsengagement position and into an unillustrated release position.

Emergency unlatching mechanism 140 permits the door 2 to be opened bymuscle power. The mechanism essentially comprises, first, a mechanism141 that unlocks the locking lever along with its second lever arm 121and, second, a mechanism 134 that separates a coupling between carriage106 and means 5 of applying tension.

The unlocking mechanism includes unlocking-lever component 143, whichcan by way of contact area 154 pivot third lever arm 152 and hencesecond lever arm 121 in second direction 31 and accordingly into itsrelease position. Separating mechanism 134 also includes unlocking-levercomponent 143, which can, before locking mechanism 111 has been unlockedby releasing second lever arm 121, extract the spring-loaded engagementpin out of its engagement with cogged-band coupling 36.

As will be most evident from FIG. 5, unlocking-lever component 143pivots around a third axis 145 perpendicular to direction traveled bycarriage 106. The free end of the first lever arm 146 of unlocking-levercomponent 143 is engaged by one component of a traction means in theform of a cable bell 147 that can be actuated from inside the premissesbeing closed off. Another lever arm 148 is engaged by another componentof the traction means in the form of a Bowden cord 142 that can beactuated from outside the premisses. Applying tension to Bowden cord 142or cable bell 147 will pivot unlocking-lever component 143 around thirdaxis 145. As unlocking-lever component 143 pivots, a pin 149 thattravels back and forth in a curved slot will extract the engagement pinout of engagement with the cogged-band coupling, whereupon, once adetachment position has been attained, carriage 106 will be uncoupledfrom cogged belt 5. As unlocking-lever component 143 pivots out of thenormal position represented in FIG. 5, a contact vicinity 156 on thesecond lever arm 148 of unlocking-lever component 143 will also engagethe contact area 154 located in that normal position at some distancefrom contact vicinity 156, unlocking second lever arm 121. How thissecond embodiment of locking mechanism 111, illustrated in FIGS. 4 and5, operates will now be specified.

FIG. 4 shows the state of the locking mechanism while door 2 is closed.Carriage 106 is resting against limiting stop 9, lever arms 120 and 121have pivoted in first direction 30, and lever 113 is in its engagementposition. When an exterior force 37 is applied to panel 1, carriage 106will be shifted in the opening direction until the engagement component129 constituted by second lever arm 121 with its hook 125 and engagementsection 127 engages the limiting edge 28 of stop 9. Further motion ofcarriage 106 and hence further opening of panel 1 subject to exteriorforce will be impossible.

When door-drive mechanism 3 is actuated, cogged belt 5 will dragcarriage 106 in opening direction 170. The resulting traction onconnecting rod 112 will pivot first lever arm 120 in second direction31. Carrier 155 will engage, and lever arms 120 and 121 will pivot insecond direction 31, shifting the mechanism out of the engagementposition represented in FIG. 4 and into the release position. Withlocking mechanism 111 unlocked, accordingly, carriage 106 can now travelin opening direction 170 until door 2 is all the way open. As the doorcloses, carriage 106 will move in the direction opposite openingdirection 170. First lever arm 120 will pivot in first direction 30 intothe position represented in FIG. 4, coming to rest against interior wallsurface 132. Panel 1 can now be closed by way of carriage 106. Secondlever arm 121 will, subject to the force exerted by compression spring144, pivot into the engagement position represented in FIG. 4. Onceon-ramp shoulder 126 reaches limiting edge 28, second lever arm 121 willbe forced to pivot in second direction 31 against the force exerted byspring 144 but without being accompanied by connecting rod 112 untilengagement section 127 travels beyond limiting edge 28. Carriage 106will continue moving until it comes to rest against limiting stop 9.

When emergency unbolting is necessary, a tug on cable bell 147 frominside or on Bowden cord 142 from outside will actuate them manually.Bowden cord 142 terminates in a space not accessible to unauthorizedpersons outside the premisses being closed off. This is of particularimportance when access to the premisses is only by way of the doorway.

The tug causes unlocking-lever component 143 to pivot, detachingcarriage 106 from cogged-band coupling 36. Contact vicinity 156 engagesthe contact area 154 of the bent-down free end 153 of third lever arm152, forcing second lever arm 121 out of its engagement position. Sincelever arms 120 and 121 are separated, they will both be uncoupled, andengagement component 129 can be shifted out of its engagement positionwithout first lever arm 120 having to move. Door 2 can now be lifted bymuscle power.

Due to the uncoupling of lever arms 120 and 121, it is unnecessary toadjust locking mechanism 111 to various situations as precisely as inthe prior art. The second embodiment of locking mechanism 111 isparticularly outstanding in that the lever comprising second lever arm121 and third lever arm 152 is maintained in its engagement position orin its bolting position by a compression spring for example. This lever,which can be considered a locking hook, pivots around first axis 119. Amechanism, in the form of cheeks 162 and 163 in this case, that attachespanel 1 to the closing rod, or connecting rod 112, pivots around firstaxis 119 to a limited extent. Locking-hook lever 121 and 152 and cheeks162 and 163 or a similar pivoting mechanism for attaching connecting rod112 can be pivoted mutually to a certain extent around first axis 119.This pivoting motion is limited by carrier 155, a carrier pin, thatforces locking hook lever 121 and 152 out of the bolting position orengagement position when connecting rod 112 and carriage 106 applytraction to each other and as cheeks 162 and 163 pivot.

A lever system 134, 143, and 140 is available for emergency unbolting.This system can be employed to force locking-hook lever 121 and 152 outof its engagement position against the force of spring 144, subsequentto which door 2 can be lifted by muscle power.

The illustrated embodiment of locking mechanism 111, which preventsbreak-ins and keeps the door closed, includes locking-hook lever 121 and152 and two cheeks 162 and 163 connected together by a pin 155 thatconstitutes the carrier.

Locking-hook lever 121 and 152 is maintained in its closing position bycompression spring 144. This lever pivots along with cheeks 162 and 163and carrier pin 155 around first axis 119. First axis 119 isaccommodated and prevented from axial displacement by pin 151. FIG. 4represents the door-closing state.

As they travel during the door-closing state, the cheek surfacesextending along the carriage's opening and closing directions restagainst matching carriage-guidance surfaces- interior wall surfaces 132and 133. Locking-hook lever 121 and 152 is in its closing or engagementposition. Just prior to the door-closing state, the locking nose or hook125 in locking-hook lever 121 and 152 will arrive at the elevated edge28 of stationary limiting stop 9 and will accordingly rise. Once hook125 has traveled beyond this edge, compression spring 144 will force itback into its closing or engagement position.

As they travel in door-opening direction 170, cheeks 162 and 163 willpivot around first axis 119, carrier pin 155 carrying locking-hook lever121 and 152 along with it. Locking-hook lever 121 and 152 willaccordingly pivot around first axis 119, and hook 125 will rise. Thedoor-opening motion will be unimpeded. Emergency unbolting, in the eventof malfunction on the part of drive mechanism 3 for instance, can beinitiated from outside by way of Bowden cord 142 or from inside by wayof cable bell 147 or of a similar traction cord. Both cable bell 147 andBowden cord 142 engage unlocking-lever component 143, which pivotsaround the essentially vertical axis 145. When tension is applied toeither of these traction means, unlocking-lever component 143 will pivotaround axis 145. When unlocking-lever component 143 is actuated, itscontact vicinity 156 will apply force to the oppositely directed contactarea 154 of locking-hook lever 121 and 152. The locking-hook lever willthereupon be shifted out of its closing or engagement position. Anothermechanism could also be employed to maintain the unlocking-levercomponent unlocked following emergency unbolting, although thisembodiment is not illustrated. Door 2 can be opened by muscle power oncelocking-hook lever 121 and 152 has been unlocked.

FIGS. 6 through 8 illustrate a third embodiment of a door drivemechanism and locking mechanism 211. Identical parts will be providedwith the same reference numbers.

The locking mechanism 211 illustrated in FIGS. 6 through 8 includes acoupling mechanism 210 for coupling panel 1 to a carriage 206 and aconnecting rod 12 that is coupled to the carriage by way of a lever 213that pivots to a limited extent around a first axis 219. Lever 213 hasthree arms 220, 221, and 252. Connecting rod 12 pivots around anotheraxis 222 at the free end of first arm 220. The free end of second arm221 is provided with an engagement component 229 with a nose 225. Thirdarm 252 is similar to third arm 252 [sic] and is provided with a bentdown end 253 with an edge that engages an unlocking-lever component 243.

As will be evident from FIG. 7, lever 213 comprises two flat componentsunited by rivets 270. The areas of the components that constitute firstarm 220 are offset, creating two cheeks 262 and 263 that enclose thelever's point of attachment to connecting rod 12.

Nose 225 is provided with an engagement section 227. Unlike engagementsections 27 and 127, however, section 227 is bent down obliquely ratherthan acutely. Nose 225 is also provided with an on-ramp shoulder 226.

Emergency unlatching mechanism 240 comprises a component 241 forunlocking a locking mechanism 211 and a mechanism 134 for separatingcarriage 206 from cogged belt 5. Separating mechanism 234 and emergencyunlatching mechanism 240 are essentially constituted by anunlocking-lever component 243 similar to unlocking-lever component 143.

Unlocking-lever component 243 can be pivoted around a third axis 245 byway of traction means 235 that comprises a cable bell 247.

Comparing FIGS. 5 and 7 will reveal the differences between theemergency unlatching mechanism 240 or, more specifically, unlockingmechanism 241 employed in the second embodiment and the emergencyunlatching mechanism 140 and unlocking mechanism 141 employed in thethird embodiment. It will be evident that the curved slot that pin 149or 249 travels in as it uncouples carriage 106 or carriage 206 fromcogged-band coupling 36 is longer in the third embodiment and that thedistance between the contact vicinity 256 on unlocking-lever component243 and the contact area 254 on the third lever arm is longer than thedistance between the contact vicinity 156 and the contact area 154 inthe second embodiment.

Separating mechanism 234 will now be specified with reference to FIG. 8,which shows a coupling-or-engagement pin 275 similar to the onesdiscussed in relation to the two aforesaid embodiments and employed tocouple carriage 206 to cogged-band coupling 36. The pin 249 inunlocking-lever component 243 extends through pin 275.

How the third embodiment of the locking mechanism operates will now bespecified.

FIG. 6 represents locking mechanism 211 in the door-closing state. Whendrive mechanism 3 is actuated, cogged belt 5 will move carriage 206 inthe opening direction 170. The resulting traction on connecting rod 12will pivot lever 213 around first axis 219 in second direction 31. Thepivoting motion is limited by a stop in the form of an inner wallsurface 233 of carriage housing 250. As carriage 206 continues to movein the opening direction 170, the door will open. With lever 213 restingagainst the inner wall surface 233 of housing 250, second arm 221 willbe unlocked, and engagement component 229 will be in its releaseposition. The door can be opened unimpeded.

If the motion of drive mechanism 3 is reversed, lever 213 will, due tothe pushing force applied to connecting rod 12, pivot in first direction30 into the position illustrated in FIG. 6, with first arm 220 restingagainst a first stop in the form of one interior wall surface 232 ofcarriage housing 250. The door will then close due to the accordinglyestablished interlocking connection between connecting rod 12 andcarrier 206. Once on-ramp shoulder 226 has arrived at the stop'slimiting edge 28, lever 213 will pivot until nose 225 can slip over edge28 and into the engagement position represented in FIG. 8. The closingmotion will continue until carriage 206 arrives at limiting stop 9. Thedoor is closed. If force is applied to the door from outside, it willact as a push 37 against connecting rod 12. Carriage 206 willaccordingly also be pushed in opening direction 170 until engagementsection 227 arrives at limiting edge 28. Even though engagement section227 is not pointed, limiting edge 28 cannot be conquered because push 37will be forcing lever 213 into its engagement position. The obliqueslope toward limiting edge 28, however, has the advantage that nose 225cannot hook over edge 28 even subject to powerful closure forces. Theobliquity also decreases wear.

Although the arms 220 and 221 in the third embodiment are in one piecein contrast to the arms in the second embodiment, emergency unboltingwill still be simple and reliable. This is ensured in the thirdembodiment in that carriage 206 is initially uncoupled from cogged belt5 and in that, due to the longer distance between contact vicinity 256and contact area 254, lever 213 cannot be forced out of engagement untiluncoupling is complete. Since carriage 206 has been entirely uncoupledby this time, lever 213 having already pivoted in second direction 31,allowing emergency unbolting, the displacement between carriage 206 andconnecting rod 12 needed for the pivoting motion can be initiatedwithout further measures by the travel of carriage 206 along rail 7.

Locking mechanism 211 can accordingly be very easily unlocked by way ofemergency unlatching mechanism 240, and the door can be opened by musclepower.

The locking mechanism.211 in the third embodiment is accordinglyprovided with a locking hook in the form of lever 213 that pivots aroundfirst axis 219. Axis is accommodated in the carriage 206 attached todoor panel 1 and prevented from axial displacement by an unillustratedcam. FIG. 6 shows the mechanism in the door-closed state.

As the locking hook constituted by lever 213 travels in the door-closingdirection, the surfaces of its cheeks 262 and 263 that face alongopening direction 170 will come to rest against a surface constituted bythe interior wall surface 232 of carriage 206. The locking hook, lever213, is now in its closing or engagement position. Just before arrivingat the door-closed position, the nose 225 of the locking hook or lever213 will encounter the elevated limiting edge 28 of stop 9 and willaccordingly be lifted. Once nose 225 has traveled past limiting edge 28,the closing force exerted by door 2 will return the edge to itsengagement position.

As it travels in the door-opening direction, the lever 213 thatconstitutes the locking hook will pivot around first axis 219, liftingnose 225. The cheeks 262 and 263 of lever 213 will simultaneously cometo rest against inner wall surface 233.

Emergency unbolting is accomplished from outside by means of Bowden cord242 or from inside by means of cable bell 247. Unlocking-lever component243 can pivot around third axis 245. Actuation of unlocking-levercomponent 243 will initially cause the pin 249 to shift thespring-loaded slide or the coupling-or-engagement pin 275 in direction280, disengaging carriage 206 from the cogged-band coupling 36 withcogged belt 5. Further actuation of unlocking-lever component 243 willclose the distance between the contact vicinity 256 of unlocking-levercomponent 243 and the contact area 254 of lever 213, and contactvicinity 256 will apply force to contact area 254. The locking hookconstituted by lever 213 will pivot in the second direction around firstaxis 219, and nose 225 will be lifted. The system is now unlocked andthe door can be opened by muscle power.

The third embodiment is particularly outstanding in that it operates intwo phases, with unbolting, i.e. the separation of the carriage from themotorized transmission, independent of unlocking, i.e. separation of thecarriage from the stationary limiting stop.

The nose 225 on the lever 213 that constitutes the locking hook is notpointed. This prevents carriage 206 from hooking up as it travels in thedoor-opening direction in doors with powerful closing forces.

The particular characteristics of the individual embodiments specifiedherein can, unless obviously inapplicable, be combined in various waysto create additional embodiments.

What is claimed is:
 1. A locking mechanism for an overhead door drivenby a motorized transmission, said overhead door being one of a tilting,swinging, or sectional door; a coupling mechanism coupling a panel ofsaid door to a carrier; said transmission moving said carrier back andforth for preventing a closed door from opening when not subjected toforce by said carrier; a lever and a connector, said lever being mountedon said carrier and pivoting around a first axis in two oppositedirections; said lever having an engagement mechanism engaging astationary counterbearing operating in conjunction with a track forguiding said carrier in locking the door, said engagement mechanismengaging said counterbearing as said lever pivots in one direction anddisengages said counterbearing as the lever pivots in the oppositedirection, said connector being rigid and in form of a connecting rodhaving an attachment mechanism at one end for attaching to said doorpanel and being pivoted at the other end to said lever around anotheraxis at a distance from said first axis, said lever pivoting around saidfirst axis in a first direction when said connector is pushed while inalignment with the door and pivoting in the opposite direction when saidconnector is pulled while in alignment with the door; said levercomprising two arms, said connector being attached to said first arm,said engagement mechanism engaging said counterbearing while said leverand thereby said second arm pivots in said first direction and pushessaid connector attached to the door, said engagement mechanismdisengaging from said counterbearing while said lever and thereby saidsecond arm pivots in said opposite direction and pulls the connectorattached to the door.
 2. A locking mechanism as defined in claim 1,wherein said second lever arm has an end pointing along the firstpivoting direction with said engagement mechanism in form of a hookengaging behind said counterbearing while said lever pivots in the firstdirection and releasing said counterbearing while said lever pivots inthe second direction.
 3. A locking mechanism as defined in claim 1,including two stops, a first one of said stops limiting motion of saidlever when pivoting in the first-direction once engagement has beenachieved and the second one of said stops limiting motion of said leverwhen pivoting in the second direction once engagement has been achieved.4. A locking mechanism as defined in claim 1, including an emergencyunbarring mechanism disengaging said lever for allowing the door to beopened manually.
 5. A locking mechanism as defined in claim 4, whereinsaid emergency unbarring mechanism unlocks the locking mechanism anduncouples said door panel and comprises said motorized transmission-witha separating mechanism separating said carrier from said motorizedtransmission.
 6. A locking mechanism as defined in claim 5, wherein saidseparating mechanism has an unlocking-lever component for manuallyshifting said carrier out of a normal position wherein said carrier iscoupled to said motorized transmission, and into a detachment positionwherein said carrier is detached from said it motorized transmission bytraction means.
 7. A locking mechanism as defined in claim 4, whereinsaid emergency unbarring mechanism includes means of applying tension inform of a spring maintaining said lever in a release position.
 8. Alocking mechanism as defined in claim 4, wherein said emergencyunbarring mechanism includes an unlocking mechanism for shifting saidlever out of an engaged locking position, so that said door panel can bepulled or pushed up.
 9. A locking mechanism as defined in claim 8,wherein said unlocking mechanism has means so that when the emergencyunlatching mechanism is actuated said second lever arm will not pivotout of an engagement position and into a release position until theseparating mechanism has separated said carrier.
 10. A locking mechanismas defined in claim 9, wherein said unlocking mechanism is mounted onsaid unlocking-lever component so that when said unlocking-levercomponent pivots out of its normal position and beyond its unlockingposition said unlocking mechanism will not seize a vicinity of saidlever that pivots along with said second lever arm so that said secondlever arm will pivot in the second direction until said unlocking-levercomponent has traveled beyond an unlocking position.
 11. A lockingmechanism as defined in claim 10, wherein a contact area of said leverhas a third lever arm connected to and pivoting along with said secondlever arm around said first axis and extending into a vicinity whereinsaid unlocking-lever component pivots so that, when said lever is in anengagement position and said unlocking-lever component is in a normalposition, said third lever arm will be far enough from one arm of saidunlocking-lever component to prevent said unlocking-lever component andsaid third lever arm from seizing each other until said unlocking-levercomponent has pivoted out of said normal position and beyond anunlocking position.
 12. A locking mechanism as defined in claim 8,wherein said unlocking mechanism comprises said unlocking-levercomponent pivotable manually by traction means connected to a couplingpin and having a contact vicinity, said coupling pin being tensioned ina coupling position and coupling said carrier to said traction means,whereby when pivoting into an unlocking position said unlocking-levercomponent releases said coupling pin, and whereby said contact vicinityencounters a matching contact area on said lever and pivoting therebysaid second lever arm out of an engagement position and into a releaseposition.
 13. A locking mechanism as defined in claim 12, wherein saidengagement mechanism has an obliquely angled capture area for seizingsaid counterbearing.
 14. A locking mechanism as defined in claim 1,including a bearing accommodating said lever and extending downward fromsaid carrier, whereby said carrier travels back and forth along a trackextending horizontally above a route traveled by the door panel as thedoor opens, said first axis being against said bearing-extendingdownward as viewed from a specified angle and at a distance from thehorizontal track, whereby said bearing has a housing in form of sleevemeans.
 15. A locking mechanism as defined in claim 1, wherein said firstaxis is inside said carrier, whereby said stops comprise an interiorwall surfaces of said carrier.
 16. A locking mechanism as defined inclaim 1, wherein said first lever arm extends downward from said firstaxis when pivoting in said first direction, said free end moving in anopening direction traveled by said carrier.
 17. A locking mechanism asdefined in claim 1, wherein said second lever arm extends upward fromsaid first axis when said second arm pivots in said first direction andsaid free end thereof moves along with the engagement mechanism oppositea direction traveled by said carrier as the door opens.
 18. A lockingmechanism as defined in claim 1, wherein said lever arms comprise asingle component pivoting in both directions.
 19. A locking mechanism asdefined in claim 1, wherein said first and second lever arms areseparate components coupled together by way of a carrier mechanism sothat said second lever arm moves along with said first lever arm whenthe latter pivots in one of the two directions, said second lever armbeing subjected to tension along with the carrier in a capture positionwhereby both lever arms engage each other through the carrier when forceis exerted against said second lever arm in opposition to the capture.20. A locking mechanism as defined in claim 1, wherein said first andsecond lever arms pivot simultaneously as said carrier travels inopening direction and uncouple from each other by pivoting relative toeach other as said carrier travels in closing direction.
 21. A lockingmechanism as defined in claim 1, wherein said second lever arm istensioned by a spring in an engagement position.
 22. A locking mechanismas defined in claim 1, wherein the free end of said second lever arm isbent along the first pivoting direction relative to said first lever armto form said hook, whereby a face of the bent free end facing the firstdirection has a hook nose with an engagement area seizing thecounterbearing and locking said counterbearing.
 23. A locking mechanismas defined in claim 1, wherein said engagement mechanism has a snap-innose in form of a hook nose, whereby a side of said snap-in nose facingan engagement area has an on-ramp shoulder.
 24. A locking mechanism asdefined in claims 1, wherein said counterbearing is fastenable atvarious points along said track.
 25. A locking mechanism as defined inclaim 24, wherein said track is a rail in form of a length of C section,said counterbearing being tensioned from one mutually facing edge to theother.
 26. A locking mechanism as defined in claim 1, wherein saidcounterbearing comprises a limiting mechanism that limits the closingmotion of said carrier to define a closing position.
 27. A lockingmechanism as defined in claim 1, wherein said counterbearing comprisesone edge of a limiting mechanism and extending into a C section.
 28. Alocking mechanism as defined in claim 1, wherein said connecting rod hasmeans for attaching to any desired point on said door panel and forarticulating to any desired point on said first lever arm for allowingvarious distances between the door panel and said carrier to be spannedin accordance with a site of installation.
 29. A locking mechanism asdefined in claim 28, wherein said connecting rod is flat and elongatedand comprises a perforated strip of metal, whereby said means ofattaching to any desired point on the door panel and of articulating toany desired point on said first lever arm are in form of a plurality ofround holes.